Libby Public School Series: Toilet Training 101

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Starting toilet training
From: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/38280665558816359/

Toilet Training; Not something you would think of when talking about school. However many children with developmental disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy need more time, or are ready at a later age then normal developing children. There are many contributing factors why some children struggle with toilet training.

There are both internal and external factors that play a role in this.

Internal: 
This is not an all inclusive list
  • Calendar age vs Developmental age; readiness, level of understanding
  • Muscle tone/control; bladder control
  • Sensation; feel when soiled, e.g. being wet does not feel good
  • Mobility; body control to manage upright positioning, e.g sitting and walking
  • Intrinsic Motivation; the child shows an interest to be toilet trained
  • Learning style; observer vs doer

External:
This is not an all inclusive list
  • Parental Motivation; toilet training requires a commitment
  • Time constraints; toilet training takes time and more time with a child with special needs
  • Continued use of Diapers and  Pull ups
  • Follow Through and Consistency; Toilet training is a form of behavior modification and requires consistency in order to build connections and patterns
  • Lack of Resources; know how, support system
There are signs that tell you that your child is ready to start toilet training, such as they will take their diaper or pull up off when they are wet or even when they have to eliminate. They may hide somewhere and go in their diaper or pull up. They will request to sit on the toilet and be like you. There are many resources out there that describe the steps to toilet training  in detail. I will give a short list of steps to use from their check out the link that most likely would fit your child's needs.
  • Readiness 
    • Child (physical and or cognitively) 
    • Parent (Are you ready to make the time commitment and follow through)
    • Is your child comfortable in the bathroom (take your child in the bathroom with you to model)
  • Ditch the pull ups and diapers during the day (wake hours)
  • Set a schedule
    • Start with every 30 minutes and gradually expand to an hour, once at an hour the child can start requesting
    • At regular intervals in between the scheduled times, ask if the child is dry
    • At regular intervals in between the scheduled times, ask if the child needs to use the bathroom
    • After consistently being dry and clean continue to build routine times to use the bathroom e.g. always before going to bed, before sitting down to eat, before leaving the house, when traveling extended time and distance any time there is an opportunity.
  • Each time you go to the bathroom
    • Have the child help with the clothing, later on wiping
    • Verbalize all the steps for the child
    • Sit on the toilet for at least one minute 
    • Make a big deal by praising the child when successfully eliminating in the toilet
  • When the child has an accident
    • Without blaming, shaming or emotion verbalize what happened (eg. " I see you are wet lets go try to go potty and change)
    • Go through the normal bathroom routine
    • Have the child help to clean up self and clothing ( could range from just throwing the underwear in the wash to cleaning self up, this largely depends on age and ability)
    • Be aware that especially at first kids who have been mostly trained may still have accidents at night and when engrossed in an activity. When they do voice they have to go they usually have to go right away and are not able to hold it for any extended period of time. 


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